Æbleskiver

Æbleskiver are spherical fried batter snacks from Denmark, with a crisp shell and a light, fluffy centre. They are cooked in a special pan with hemispherical hollows and are especially associated with the Christmas season, served with jam and powdered sugar.

History

The exact origin of æbleskiver is unknown. A popular speculation, which belongs to legend, holds that a band of Vikings cooked a pancake-like batter in their shields or helmets after a battle, which would explain the round shape.

The name, meaning "apple slices", is more plausibly linked to a medieval custom: when raw apples could no longer be stored, the last ones of the harvest were sliced, used to flavour gløgg, wrapped in dough and fried in fat or butter, much like a Berliner. Cast iron pans with hemispherical hollows made it possible to prepare the dish year-round from the 17th century, and fillings became more varied.

The word first appears in print in Peters Jul (1866), a book of Yule poems by Johan Krohn. Hans Christian Andersen also mentions apple-filled versions in his 1872 story "The Cripple".

Culture

In Denmark æbleskiver are less a restaurant dish than a treat for family gatherings and the run-up to Christmas, when they are served with gløgg, Scandinavian mulled wine. They are sold at charity markets, open-air events, Scouting functions and local sports gatherings, and they are a common sight at children's birthday parties because they are popular and easy to make.

Traditional batter combines flour, butter or cream, eggs, sugar, salt, cardamom and lemon zest, leavened with baking powder. Modern versions rarely contain apple. They are classically dipped in raspberry, strawberry, blackcurrant or blackberry jam, and butter, maple syrup and whipped cream are also popular toppings.

Volunteer groups often sell the pre-fried frozen version, usually three at a time. In North America, annual events and "Æbleskiver Suppers" held by churches and museums celebrate the dish and Danish culture.

Trivia